Cerebral white matter hyperintensity is associated with intracranial atherosclerosis in a healthy population. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nam, Ki-Woong; Kwon, Hyung-Min; Jeong, Han-Yeong; Park, Jin-Ho; Kim, Sang Hyuck; Jeong, Su-Min; Yoo, Tae Gon; Kim, Shinhye
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 265(2017)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Leukoaraiosis -- Atherosclerosis -- Small vessel disease -- Cerebrovascular disease -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Magnetic resonance angiography; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.09.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is commonly found in ischemic stroke patients, especially when accompanied by intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS). However, the relationship between WMH and ICAS in a healthy population has not been evaluated. Methods: A total of 3159 healthy subjects who underwent health checkups, including brain magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, were enrolled. ICAS was defined as an occlusion or more than 50% stenosis of intracranial vessels on magnetic resonance angiography. Volumes of WMH were quantitatively rated. Results: Eighty-two (2.6%) subjects had ICAS. The mean age of the cohort was 56 years, and the median volume of WMH was 1.02 [0.20–2.60] mL. In a multivariate analysis, ICAS [β = 0.331, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.086 to 0.576, p = 0.008] was significantly associated with WMH volumes after adjusting confounders. Age (β = 0.046, 95% CI = 0.042 to 0.050, p < 0.001), hypertension (β = 0.113, 95% CI = 0.017 to 0.210, p = 0.021), and diabetes (β = 0.154, 95% CI = 0.043 to 0.265, p = 0.006) were also significant, independently of ICAS. The ICAS (+) group had more frequent vascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, and statin use, than the ICAS (−) group, and these tendencies increased when WMH was accompanied by ICAS. Conclusions: ICAS is associated with larger WMH volume in a healthy population. Close observation of this group and strict control of vascular risk factors are needed. Highlights: ICAS is closely associated with the burden of WMH even in a healthy population. Vascular risk factors may be pathophysiologic connectors between ICAS and WMH. Classifying high-risk group and strict control of vascular risk factors would be helpful in preventing WMH development.